Lot # 1060: 1950 Jim Gilliam & Toots Ferrell Player Contract Rights Offer Letters from Richard Powell (Baltimore Elite Giants/Negro Leagues) to Elmira Pioneers (Dodgers Affiliate)

Seeking to raise cash for the struggling Baltimore Elite Giants franchise during their final season, Vice President Richard Powell offered the services of two star players in Howard Leroy (Toots) Ferrell and Jim Gilliam to the Elmira Pioneers Baseball Club, the Class A affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers. These dated 7/3/50 handwritten notes offers Ferrell ($2500) and Gilliam ($5000) to the franchise and gives a one-week deadline. It appears as if the offer was declined as Ferrell would later enlist in the U.S. Army and serve in the Korean War and Gilliam would later sign with the Dodgers Triple A affiliate in 1951 after the Elite Giants dissolved. Each letter measures nearly 8-1/2 x 8-1/2" and is clearly written in black ink with interesting contractual details. No signature authentication due to lack of exemplars. Note: This piece arrives from the Richard Powell collection. Mr. Powell was an instrumental figure in Negro League history and responsible for moving the Elite Giants franchise from Nashville to Baltimore prior to the 1938 season. He later served as the team's general manager, and under his tutelage, fielded a lineup of legends including Roy Campanella, Junior Gilliam and Joe Black.